The UK Government’s decision to impose independent governance of the game from the Premier League downwards is intended to protect and promote football’s "cultural heritage" by among other measures, preventing clubs breaking away to join a European Super League.

This follows an abortive move by six Premier League clubs, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur amid widespread criticism and condemnation.

The new body is the result of a fan-led review into the game and will have wide-sweeping powers, including the implementation of new rules, punishing financial irregularities and wrong-doing, imposing stricter rules on ownership of clubs, particularly from overseas, and ensuring that directors are "fit and proper persons" to occupy that role.

Fans are to have a much greater say in how their clubs are run, and will have to be consulted on whether their teams’ stadiulogo, kit or name can be charged.

The regulator will also ensure that a proportion of the huge sums earned by the Premier League is spent on supporting smaller teams in the lower leagues.

The revolutionary review has been led by a former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch CBE, a Tory MP who not only follows the game closely but has played it.

Whoever is appointed to head up new body will be, in all but name, football’s ombudsman - or might that be ombudswoman?

He or she will need to be a tough cookie to fulfil what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described as "safeguarding the beautiful game for future generations."

There are many who believe that with the burgeoning aspect the female side of the game suggests a woman’s touch at the helm of the reforms would not go amiss.

One wonders whether Ms Crouch herself might be well equipped for a role which may require political nous as well as muscle. 

Not only is she an ardent follower of the game as a Spurs supporter but she has been both a player and coach.

However she is still a working MP unlike two former Sports Ministers who in my view are ideally suited to be the head honcho responsible for turning the sport on its head.

One is another woman, the formidable and still feisty Kate Hoey, now Baroness Hoey, who was the UK’s first female Sports Minister.

The other is Sir Hugh Robertson, London 2012’s political anchor now a popular chair of British Olympic Association.

Although of different political hue, they are two of a kind, thoroughly decent personalities with a mutual passion for football and great respect for each other.

I think they were the best Sports Ministers Britain has had since the late Denis Howell blew his referee’s whistle to start the political ball rolling for sport back in 1964.

What a brilliant regulator he would have made.

Both Hoey and Robertson ruffled a few football feathers during their respective spells in office.

No doubt either would have the mettle do so again among recalcitrant club chairmen who do not like the idea of an independent mind invading their boardrooms.

Another potential candidate is also a Lady who sits in the House of Lords, one Baroness Sue Campbell, a true champion of sport who successfully chaired UK Sport and is now director of women’s football at the English Football Association.

As such she is as much responsible for the achievements of the Lionesses as Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, whom she appointed.

And so we await with interest to see who has the will, and the power, to regulate what could become a whole new ball game. 

Overlord or an overlady?